Both will be joining former Kent County judicial candidate Bryan Down, Esq. Attorney Bryan C. Downs has been a dedicated cyclist for the Equal Parenting Bike Trek in both 2008 and 2009. There are three confirmed cyclists for the 2010 Equal Parenting Bike Trek, with an additional select few who will be joining Robb, Robert and Bryan during the 700 + miles cycling trek for parental rights.

The 2010 Equal Parenting Bike Trek will be departing from Lansing Michigan and will pedal through both the Lower and Upper peninsulas of Michigan in support of a child's right to be loved, guided, nurtured and educated by both fit and willing parents.

Stay tuned for more information on this incredible equal parenting event!

August 26, 2008

With a sense of sarcasm Brian Downs, a Michigan Judicial Candidate, does an excellent job explaining to an audience why Michigan needs Equal Parenting. You will be amazed when you see how dramatically child custody determinations vary by county. Michigan children deserve better!Benefits of equal parenting for children.

August 17, 2008

Those of us who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s remember Jim McKay’s famous lead in to ABC’s Wide World of Sports- “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat,” as we watched the skier crashing over the top of the ramp landing awkwardly and surely breaking his leg. Less known, but of no less courage, Bill Knoellner had his own moment of agony this past week.

Bill is one of four men traveling by bike 768 miles from Lansing, MI to Washington DC. While the skier likely went to the hospital and was certainly out of the competition, Bill, undaunted, made his mandatory visit to the emergency room, but was back on the road before day’s end! What seeming insanity provoked this man to such levels of achievement? Children! Children? Yes, children!Bill, along with Brian Downs, Rob MacKenzie and Bill Foster endured 768 miles of dangerous and mountainous terrain by bike to draw attention to one of the greatest travesties known to modern mankind. The tragedy is the state run divorce industry, also known as child kidnapping.

Children, at an alarming rate, nearly 100%, are “legally kidnapped” from one of their parents. This is due to the states’ pecuniary interest in Title IV-D Block Grant Funds. Children sold at auction for the Family Divorce Court’s filthy lucre, while the states kidnap these children, they then place the defrocked parent, which is usually dad, into involuntary servitude!

Dads across America have aligned to take on the states in a toe-to-toe battle, too daunting a task to evenly compare to the Biblical narrative of David v. Goliath. David, at least, had a weapon, albeit, a slingshot. Dads have not the legal training, have no money and are often times found fighting from a jail cell. Undaunted, they continue to flail away at the enemy- The State Courts!

As we descend on Washington DC August 15 and 16, be sure to thank Bill and the others for their heroism and do support our efforts to re-claim our children, who are our greatest love, for which we know no limits of bravery!

Grand Rapids, Michigan August 6, 2008 - Brian Downs, a Kent County attorney and candidate for Judge in the Kent County 17th Circuit Court in the November election is riding his bicycle 758 miles from the Capitol in Lansing to the nation's Capitol in Washington DC. Downs along with 3 other riders are signaling a message that Family Courts throughout the nation are not family friendly. The Equal Parenting Bike Trek has been organized to bring attention to what he believes should be reform in the nations court system.

Brian Downs, who has been a family advocate for the past 7 years, believes that it is the duty of our nation to protect the parent child relationship and repair this relationship when necessary so that children maintain a loving relationship with their entire biological family. Downs believes that the nation's family court system does more splitting up of families than protecting and maintaining this most important and primary relationship.

Minister Ronald Smith, CEO of Children Need Both Parents, Inc, a non-profit group located in both Chicago and Grand Rapids stated, "Our family court judges pay little attention to the damage being done to our children removing one or both biological parents from a child's life without making a concerted effort that no stone is left unturned to repair and maintain this God Given relationship."

Downs is scheduled to leave Lansing at 2:00pm EST August 7th and scheduled to arrive at the Family Preservation Festival in DC on August 15-16.

April 30, 2008

Last week we had the incredible experience of having Instapundit, one of the world's top ranked news and political blogs, cover the 2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek. This single post by Instapundit exposed thousands upon thousands of people to this inspirational story.

ABOUT.COM, owned by the New York Times and recognized as a top 15 content site, just covered the 2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek. In less than 24 hours, thousands of readers have visited the main event page for the Equal Parenting Bike Trek!

Please take the time to thank author Wayne Parker for covering this important human interest story. Commenting does NOT require you to sign up for an account so it is very easy. If you utilize Stumbleupon, Digg!, Mixx or other social bookmarking please do so on Wayne Parker's story.

April 22, 2008

Truly amazing new media buzz over the five fathers that are pedaling 758 miles for their children!!!

Some of the word's top ranked blogs have already covered this event/story. What is even more exciting is that these are blogs that cover different topics; we have fatherhood, cycling, and news blogs covering this event for a good cause. There is much excitement over the upcoming departure event in Lansing Michigan at the Capitol.

Dynamic and experienced speakers will be present to discuss Michigan's family law court systems and how their actions adversely affect Michigan's families and children. Michigan House Bill 4564 (Equal Parenting) and Michigan House Joint Resolution NN (2008) will also be discussed. All Michigan citizens and members of the Michigan media are encouraged to attend.

Featured Speakers Will Include:

Jack Hoogendyk, State Representative(R), District 61, U.S. Senate candidate, 2008.

Rick Jones, State Representative(R), District 71.

Mr. Scott Hudson, Democratic candidate for State House District 43 seat, 2008.

Ms. Carol Rhodes, former Calhoun County Friend of the Court Enforcement Officer. You will not want to miss her speech as she exposes the corruption of Michigan's child custody evaluations and family court systems.

Mr. Lary Holland, Michigan family rights advocate, national expert on Social Security Title IV-D, the financial incentives behind denying children the love, care, guidance and nurturing of both of their fit and willing parents. Host of the popular talk show "Get Off The Bench".

Topics of discussion will include The Equal Parenting Bill, House Bill 4564, House Joint Resolution NN, the proposed "Parental Rights" Constitutional Amendment, and the Barry County Friend of the Court.

We are inviting parents and grandparents to come and learn the truth about Michigan's family law court system.

Learn why children have a fundamental right to be loved, guided, educated and nurtured equally by both fit and willing parents.

Media - Please accept this invitation to participate in the coverage of this incredible community event.

March 28, 2008

The 2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek is an event worth supporting. Bloggers know an interesting and unique story. Over 4 months away and the online buzz is picking up! The five cyclists truly appreciate any help in spreading the message of this event. It is not easy to pedal over 758 miles physically or mentally for that matter. Special thanks to all bloggers that have picked this story up.

Here is a sample of some of the most recent blogs covering the 2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek:

Please show your support and attend this amazing event being held at the Lansing Capitol in Michigan. ALL ARE WELCOME! A large crowd will help energize our cyclists! We already have confirmation of media coverage (TV, Newspaper & Radio) for the departure!

We Need Your Support and Help Now!

Ways you can show your support for this event:

1) Please donate for this amazing event - no amount is too small or too large. It is very expensive to pull off such a large event over 758 miles with 5 cyclists and chase crew. Donating early will allow us to advertise this event, hand out brochures along the route, gas expense for the chase vehicle, a bed to sleep in at night for the cyclists, etc.

2) Blog about this event and link to this page. Blog on MySpace and more! Post on Facebook!

3) Social Bookmark this page on StumbleUpon, Digg!,Del.icio.us, Reddit and more. Digg! and Del.icio.us can be used via the links directly below this page.

4) Email this page to everyone you know and tell them about this wonderful cause for children.

Robert will reveal a secret detail of the 2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek departure from Lansing, MI! August 7th 2008 12 Noon - departure of the 758 mile Equal Parenting Bike Trek from the Lansing Capitol. The media and supporters will fill the Lansing Capitol Lawn simply to see what Robert will reveal on this Friday's interview.

Stay tuned because we are hoping to have the call-in phone numbers for this exciting radio interview. Show your support and be sure to tune in and listen to "The Message" with Richar Farr.

January 06, 2008

The Media Coverage of the 2008 National Fatherhood Summit in Grand Rapids, MI was truly impressive! Four different TV News stations, 7 Radio Stations and 6 different newspaper reporters were present at this event! My husband, Robert Pedersen, was given a standing ovation for his efforts in promoting this event. It was incredible and I was so happy for him that I had to hold back my tears.

The energy level during the event was high! The breakfast and lunch was excellent! The networking was priceless! The general opinion was that this event was outstanding and we had a full room!

There were people from all over the United States! Alabama, California, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania - just to name a few. Many different orgnizations were present at this oustanding event.

Minister Ronald Smith has clearly become a nationally known advocate and leader. Special thanks for all of the work Children Need Both Parents, Inc put into this summit.

Special thanks to the sponsors of the National Fatherhood Summit: 1) Children Need Both Parents, Inc. 2) Dads and Moms of Michigan & 3) Abundant Life Ministries

December 28, 2007

Below is a list of media coverage of the 2007 Equal Parenting Bike Trek. 2008 Equal Parenting Bike Trek - we are striving to further grow our media coverage. Things are looking promising and we are already getting some inquiries of this exciting event. The 2008 cyclists will be Robb MacKenzie, Robert Pedersen and our new cyclist Brian Downs, Esq. Stay tuned for more.

The media and blogger coverage of the Equal Parenting Bike Trek has been simply amazing! This list will continue to grow as time nears the departure date of August 11th, 2007 for an area very close to the Lansing, Michigan Capitol. There will be media coverage throughout the entire 700 miles Robb MacKenzie and Robert Pedersen will have to pedal. We are also aware of post-D.C. Rally interviews that are already scheduled.

For media inquiries please contact Angela Pedersen at

269-420-3203

This media and blogger coverage list will be updated on a frequent basis! This is a long list for a very good reason! Children deserve better! Children deserve equal time with both fit and willing parents.

(**NOTE** On the left tab you can select pages and posts...look to see very frequent and numerous posts each day)

Channel 3 WWMT TV News Video

Fox News Promo Video

Fox News Channel 17 Full Interview

NEWS 8 WOOD TV

Phyllis Schlafly - NATIONAL MEDIA BREAK FOR THE EQUAL PARENTING BIKE TREK! If you have no clue as to why Phyllis Schlafly covering Robert Pedersen's Hero Dad Runner-Up Win and the EQUAL Parenting Bike Trek is an incredible honor...you may need a refresher in a history course! This is HUGE! Lawyer, Author, Columnist, Political Analyst, founder of Eagle Forum, a legend, etc. Phyllis Schlafly's articles are syndicated in over 100 newspapers nationwide and her radio talk show is on over 460 stations nationwide! Phyllis Schlafly pictured below on right.

Radio Lia Show - Nationwide audience! CMA Award winner! A Media powerhouse! Listen to the unedited radio interview of Equal Parenting Bike Trek cyclists Robert Pedersen and Robb MacKenzie!